MLB News

Smoke signals

By
Jordan BastianMLB.com

• In the first inning of Sunday's 7-3 loss to the A's, Kipnis struck out after fouling off a pitch from Tommy Milone. Home-plate umpire Mike DiMuro ruled that Kipnis was out, even though the foul ball appeared to hit the ground before catcher Derek Norris could grab it.

"He foul tipped it, but the ball hit the dirt," said Francona, who argued the play on the field. "There was a big mark where the ball hit. The umpire kept saying, 'You're making a good point.' I said, 'I know, but you called him out.' He goes, 'Well, I can't change it.' I go, 'But look at the mark.' He just kept saying, 'You're making a good point.'"

• In the first inning of Sunday's 7-3 loss to the A's, Kipnis struck out after fouling off a pitch from Tommy Milone. Home-plate umpire Mike DiMuro ruled that Kipnis was out, even though the foul ball appeared to hit the ground before catcher Derek Norris could grab it.

"He foul tipped it, but the ball hit the dirt," said Francona, who argued the play on the field. "There was a big mark where the ball hit. The umpire kept saying, 'You're making a good point.' I said, 'I know, but you called him out.' He goes, 'Well, I can't change it.' I go, 'But look at the mark.' He just kept saying, 'You're making a good point.'"

• Indians right-hander Brett Myers, who has been on the disabled list since late April with a right elbow injury, completed a simulated game with Double-A Akron on Sunday with no isses. Francona said Myers is "antsy" about being activated, but the manager indicated that the pitcher needs to log more Minor League innings.

• Indians right-hander Josh Tomlin is slated to throw around 75 pitches in a Minor League rehab start with Triple-A Columbus on Thursday. Tomlin, who is making his way back from Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow, has a 0.73 ERA with 10 strikeouts and no walks in 12 1/3 Minor League rehab innings.

• Indians starter Corey Kluber (on the disabled list with a sprained right middle finger) resumed his throwing program on Monday, working up to 150 feet with tape on his injured digit. After that long-toss session, Kluber threw without the tape up to a distance of 60 feet. He will continue his throwing progression on Tuesday.

• Indians left fielder Michael Brantley entered Monday's game riding an errorless streak of 212 consecutive games. That was tied with Rocky Colavito (1959-66) for the longest error-free run in franchise history for an Indians outfielder.